4 reasons why replacing a missing tooth is essential for your oral and overall health:

 

1. Teeth may shift and loosen. – When every tooth is in your mouth, neatly in a row, they can keep each other lined up and stable. Teeth can drift out of place, leading to a change in your bite, potential gum disease and possible tooth decay.

2. Your face could change – Loss of teeth can make your face look older. Every aspect of your face is intertwined, so the loss of a tooth can cause your bone to deteriorate and muscles to droop over time. Replacing the missing tooth helps to keep the others in place, ensuring your face doesn’t change dramatically.

 

3. It may affect your mental health – Amissing a tooth may be fun while you are a kid, not so much as an adult. Some people may find that the missing tooth affects their speech patterns, which can lead to a loss in self-confidence. Your tooth replacement may take some getting used to, but this is temporary and far-preferable to the constant discomfort of a gap in your grin. Patients who have dental implants placed often speak of how they not only look natural but also feel like their real tooth.

 

4. TMJ disorder – The muscles on the side of your head that help you chew and rotate your jaw are called temporomandibular joints, or TMJ. Changes to these muscles and the system they are connected to can result in a lot of physical pain. One change that can lead to TMJ disorder is the loss of a tooth and failure to replace it. TMJ disorder in Medford can be diagnosed and treated by Main Street Family Dentistry, but the best treatment is prevention. If you have a missing tooth, consult with your dentist about teeth replacement options in Medford.